parliament

MINISTERS STATEMENTS: Manufacturing jobs

March 6, 2018

MrCARROLL (Minister for Industry and Employment) (12:34:32) — It is my pleasure to update the house on how the Andrews government’s record investments in new trains and rail infrastructure is creating jobs right across Victoria and providing a very significant boost to the manufacturing sector. Last week I had the pleasure of joining the member for Dandenong out at Bombardier in Dandenong South, where Victorian workers are working on the biggest train and tram order in Victoria’s history — being built in Victoria, not in South Korea. It is a massive program: 170 new jobs, 700 indirect jobs, great support from the member for Dandenong but also a company that is changing as the manufacturing industry is changing. iPads are very significant down in the factory there.

There is a perception that manufacturing is dying. Nothing could be further from the truth. Under the Andrews government, with $100 million in support, manufacturing is continuing to thrive. In fact it has had 13 months of consecutive growth for the first time in a decade. We are getting on with the job, but also in regional Victoria, where manufacturing businesses are 20 per cent. The member for Macedon, not only a hard worker in Spring Street but a hard worker in her electorate, was with the Premier last week at Barker Trailers to unveil their 10 000th trailer — a local success story. It has been going for 40 years; 180 Victorians are employed at Barker Trailers and we are very proud to support them.

Those opposite are off the rails completely when it comes to policy. We are getting on with building jobs and creating jobs, but make sure you get your tickets to the Menzies Research Centre. Join the fearless MP, the member for Kew, with Rita Panahi and friends at Sky News. Get your tickets —

Honourable members interjecting.

MrCARROLL — Get your tickets! Go to the Menzies Research Centre and follow the member for Kew and get a rerun of teaching all the schoolkids about Brexit.

TheSPEAKER — Order! I warn the member for Warrandyte against shouting at the Speaker.

MrGuy — On a point of order, Speaker, last sitting week you removed members of the opposition for holding props in the Parliament. I seek your guidance on why that ruling has not been applied to the minister.

TheSPEAKER — The minister was holding —

Honourable members interjecting.

TheSPEAKER(12:37:08) — Order! The member for Ringwood and the member for Geelong will leave the chamber for the period of 1 hour. I will not have members shouting over the top of me when I am trying to issue a ruling.

Honourable members for Ringwood and Geelong withdrew from chamber.

TheSPEAKER — The minister had a piece of paper in his hand that he was holding at waist height. He was not waving it around.

Honourable members interjecting.

TheSPEAKER(12:37:34) — The member for Mornington will leave the chamber for the period of 1 hour.

Honourable member for Mornington withdrew from chamber.

TheSPEAKER — The minister will be very careful about whether he chooses to quote from the document or to use the document as a prop.

MrCARROLL — On behalf of the Menzies Research Centre Thought Network Special, I am happy to table the document.